We are told that the sewer fund will be broke in the next 18 months unless the rate increase is implemented. Really?

Over the past 10 years our city’s budget has increased by 52%, growing from $187 million in 2005 to $285 million in 2015.

Over ten years these Mayors bankrupted the sewer system while adding $100 million to the budget.

The old city council added $100 million to the budget with little to show for it.

The politicians and bureaucrats have spent years telling us what good fiscal stewards they are.

The prior council bragged about amassing a $120 million surplus while our sewer pipes deteriorated.

Former Mayor Rush Hill waived $2 million in permit fees in 2014 as part of his “Newport Dividend.” Councilman Curry has bragged about his “Facilities Improvement Financing Plan” for years.

They spent $225,000 on bunnies and $1,000 on desk chairs at the Taj Mahal. I guess the sewer system wasn’t as exciting.

Now we are told that our Sewer Fund will be broke next year if we don’t agree to the 103% increase in sewer rates.

They promised us the 2005 increase was good for 20 years, and reaffirmed in the 2009 Sewer Master Plan. You can read it here.

It appears the old council’s priority was the $142 million Taj Mahal and Taj Mahal II ($35 million Marina Park) – not our sewer pipes. Shiny new objects were more important than the mundane sewer system.

Now I am told they are proposing a new community center for West Newport – near the Costa Mesa border. Located just 2 ½ miles from the Peninsula’s Taj Mahal II do we really need to spend another $25 million on a shiny object while our sewer fund goes broke?

I am angry. The fundamental job of city government is the maintenance of our infrastructure, not building shiny new objects to satisfy political egos.

I want to launch a campaign to kill the sewer tax hike. Will you join me?